Emerging Offaly golfer sets course record at Munster U18 Girls Championship

A PROMISING emerging Offaly golfer set a very impressive course record at a big championship last week.

Ella Cantwell smashed the course record in the Munster U18 Girls Open Championship at Newcastle West Golf Club in Limerick.

The Rahan girl provided one of the highlights of the tournament with a fantastic -5 67 course record in round 2.

She ended up finishing second in the event, just one stroke behind Tralee's Lucy Grattan, who won this championship for the third time.

Representing Esker Hills Golf Club, Cantwell finished on 221 with Grattan on 220. The 67 had put her joint top as she shot up fifteen places after a 6 over 78 in round 1.

Cantwell, Grace Dowdall of Forrest Little and Jessica Reynolds of County Sligo were all tied on 145 with the winner one shot behind.

The course record on Wednesday moved her onto +1 for the tournament and her round included a whopping seven birdies, on 4, 6, 8, 12, 13, 15 and 17 – she had recovered spectacularly from bogeys on 10 and 11.

She didn't reach the same heights in the final round on Thursday as she had five bogeys in her first seven holes. Cantwell showed great character to steady the ship from here. She birdied the eight and fifteenth as she got into a winning position but bogeys on 16 and 17 spoiled her victory chances, though she finished with a great birdie four on 18 to sign for a +4 76.

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Also a member at Tullamore Golf Club, whom she has represented in inter-club competitions, Cantwell is a student at Killina Presentation Secondary School and looks to have a bright golfing future ahead of her.